Joint project lifts economy, skills in Kirkuk

Crew members of Black Gold Holding Company, a local contractor, build a new lift station on Kirkuk Regional Air Base, Iraq on Feb. 24, 2010. The crews constructed three new pump stations and modified five others. As American forces drawdown the new lift station is one more positive sign Iraq has a bright future. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Tabitha Kuykendall/Released)

Published March 4, 2010
By Master Sgt. Martie Moore
506th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs

Kirkuk Regional Air Base, Iraq -- Earning and learning are two concepts used to help the Iraqi people rebuild their nation with pride and dignity.

A joint project involving 506th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron, Readiness Management Support Engineers and a local contractor are making those basic livelihood necessities a reality.

The various civil engineers are all involved in upgrading the base sanitary sewer system with new or upgraded wastewater lift stations.

"The existing concrete tank was set up in an expeditionary manner," said Master Sgt. Michael Wohlfert, Water & Fuels Systems Maintenance superintendent.

As part of the lift station project, the crews constructed three new pump stations and modified five others doubling the capacity of the overall system.
"The wastewater lift stations are facilities designed to move wastewater from lower to higher elevation through pipes," said Sergeant Wohlfert.

Key elements of lift stations include a wastewater receiving well (wet-well), often equipped with pumps and piping with associated valves, motors, a power supply system, and an equipment control and alarm system.

During the process of building the new lift stations, Iraqi men were learning or improving their trade as electricians and plumbers.

"The Air Force is here to see that the rules and regulations are followed by the contractor," said Sergeant Wohlfert. "Iraq does not have the same building codes as the U.S. The electricians and plumbers are learning new skills on this project. The quality of workmanship has grown in leaps and bounds."

The project in turn benefits the community by using a local contractor, Sameh Saber owner of Black Gold Holding Company, was born and raised in Kirkuk.

"It's very smooth because we are all on the same page and coordinating work," said Mr. Saber.

In addition Mr. Saber sees this as an opportunity to improve the quality of work in Kirkuk.

"I talk to college friends who are engineers too," he said. "We are learning more things here to transfer to our own local projects."

As American forces drawdown the new lift station is one more positive sign Iraq has a bright future.

"Except for minor things, the reliability of the new sites has been great. The more successful this is the easier for those who come after us. This is nothing but a success," said Sergeant Wohlfert.